Do I have to remove rotors when changing tires?

[ZoneIII]

I'll be changing my tires on my 2015 R3T in a month or so. I have the tools. Question: Do I have to remove the rotors to change the tires. I can see that that shouldn't be necessary with the rear tire but what about the front tire with those big rotors? It looks like they would get in the way of the tire spoons.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Rick Morris]

Leave them on. When they are balanced you want to balance the wheel as it is mounted on the bike.

 

[Fingers]

No,but if you are worried about bending a rotor build a frame out of 2x4's that will keep the rotor off the floor.

 

[ZoneIII]

Thanks, guys. I would definitely have the rotors on when balancing, of course. I was just wondering if I would have to remove one of the front rotors to dismount and remount the tire because they look like they might have got in the way of the tire spoons. Good to know that's not necessary.

Thanks again!

 

[JRock]

And be careful not to let the loose wheel fall over onto its side.
I bent a very expensive Galfer wave rotor that way.

 

[ZoneIII]

And be careful not to let the loose wheel fall over onto its side.
I bent a very expensive Galfer wave rotor that way.

Will do! Those rotors are expensive (about $300 each). I'm going to make a little 2x4" frame to set the wheel on and keep the rotors off the ground.

 

[IMFASTTOO]

Will do! Those rotors are expensive (about $300 each). I'm going to make a little 2x4" frame to set the wheel on and keep the rotors off the ground.

TAKE the wheel to a good shop and have the tire installed and balanced

 

[ZoneIII]

TAKE the wheel to a good shop and have the tire installed and balanced

No, that's something I won't do. I do all my own work and always have since the 1960s. I have the tools including a Mar Parnes balancer. Even if my local shop charged a reasonable price, I still would do it myself because, frankly, I don't trust their work. They also charge $100 per wheel when you take them off yourself!

Nope! I trust myself.

I guess I'm old school. When I got back into riding after decades without a bike, I was amazed to see how so many riders these days don't know how to work on their machines. I've even talked to guys who actually pay a shop to change their oil! Talk about helpless! I've always felt that if someone can't work on their bike, they shouldn't own one. But that's just me. I do all my work on everything with very rare exceptions. I know it's done right. The only time things have been screwed up is when I had someone else do the work.

 

[JRock]

$100 a wheel is pretty steep.

 

[1K9]

I took mine to an small tire shop. $10. Done in 3 minutes. Bike shop balance, courtesy for new customer.